DU vs. Emerson

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver in Denver, CO with Emerson College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Denver is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (12,813 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Emerson College 14:1.

DU vs. Emerson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU or Emerson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Denver than Emerson ($45,451 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Denver are 15.1% lower than at Emerson College ($17,759 vs. $20,920).
• University of Denver is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $4,342 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.6% higher at DU than at Emerson College (about $4,342 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Emerson College (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 25.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,955 vs. $26,997).

DU vs. Emerson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU or Emerson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Emerson and DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 20 points higher than at DU (1330).
• Incoming DU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Emerson (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; Emerson College 1270/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; Emerson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at DU (3.72).
• DU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

DU vs. Emerson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU and Emerson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of Denver's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $199 lower median loan debt than DU graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DU graduates ($242 vs. $245).
• More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.